Hard news

Suspected poaching boss ‘Big Joe’ Nyalungu killed in Mkhuhlu

Joseph “Big Joe” Nyalungu, a suspected rhino poaching kingpin, has been killed in a shooting in Mkhuhlu.

May 16, 2026
Riot Hlatshwayo Less than a minute
Joseph ‘Big Joe’ Nyalungu in the Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court. > Photo: Archives

Suspected rhino poaching syndicate mastermind Josep “Big Joe” Nyalungu has been killed.

Lowvelder understands that he was shot at his business near Mkhuhlu Crossroads earlier today, May 16.

ALSO READ: Suspected rhino poaching kingpin ‘Big Joe’ Nyalungu survives shooting

His assassination comes just over a week after he was shot and injured at the same premises.

This is a developing story.

Lowvelder will update its readers as more information becomes available.

At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
May 16, 2026
Riot Hlatshwayo Less than a minute

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Riot Hlatshwayo

Riot Hlatshwayo is a senior journalist based in Mbombela, Mpumalanga. He is the former Bureau Chief of the Sowetan Newspaper in Mpumalanga. Riot has written for more than 16 publications in South Africa and abroad. He is also a former journalist at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
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